Malaysia’s Bird’s Nest Business Flying High, Demand Rife in China

GEORGE TOWN – It’s the busy time of the year again for local bird’s nest breeders in Peninsular Malaysia.

Besides having their hands full with the bird’s nest harvest, strategies are also underway for their products to be exported to China where demand is rife during the Chinese New Year (CNY) festival.

Koperasi Penternak Burung Walit Malaysia Bhd (Ebn Kowalit) chairman Datuk Ng Siew Lai said the bird’s nest products need to arrive in China before CNY on February 1 and 2.

“There is a greater demand for bird’s nest products during CNY celebrations, as the Chinese have the practice of giving the products as a gift to their loved ones. The bird’s nest drink is a favourite for the elderly as a source of energy booster,” she said.

Ng said it is time to enhance and expand bird’s nest business opportunities in China and the Middle East.

“The movement control order had prevented travelling and meeting business people face-to-face, which is important when conducting business.

“There was a major international bird’s nest exposition in the Hainan province. We participated in virtual meetings and went on a virtual walk in the exposition – however, it was never like being there physically. We are now eagerly waiting to travel to China to enhance our business,” Ng added.

Globally, the sector is estimated to be worth approximately US$5 billion (RM21.2 billion) per annum, with 90% of it consumed in China.

Malaysia targeted to achieve a RM4.5 billion revenue from bird’s nests last year, while Sabah is expected to see its bird’s nest business grow to RM350 million annually.

Since the Tang Dynasty nearly 1,500 years ago, our ancestors have discovered the secret of edible bird’s nests. According to documented historical data, Admiral Cheng Ho brought it to China from the Southeast Asia region more than 500 years ago.

It was considered a supreme delicacy, and exclusively consumed by Chinese royalties and court officials to maintain health, beauty, and youth.

Fast forward to 2015, Ebn Kowalit began processing edible bird’s nests in Lunas, Kedah.

It is the only processing facility in Malaysia with a certified Grade D processing area to ensure safe and high quality products that are in compliance with safety standards.

The organisation was established three years earlier to support and defend the rights of bird’s nest ranchers. Bird’s nest industry stakeholders throughout the country have supported this association.

It has executed extensive research to develop Prebiopep, an intermediate raw material with bioactive peptide used in its exclusive personal care products named ebn, and supplements under the Kowalit brand.

Moving forward, the organisation aspires to promote and establish its line of products to a broader global market – covering the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and African countries, on top of its focus on the China market.

In the pipeline are plans to develop more varieties of downstream products based on bird’s nests such as food, supplements, and skincare.

Source: Arulldas Sinnappan, The Vibes